CNC Machine Control Using Mach3 - A Beginners Introduction #1 

Hello Steve. I want to thank you for your videos. I've recently purchased a milling machine which I am in the process of converting to CNC. This is a new hobby for me as I build a CNC solution ground up (CNC4PC and Automation Tech); laptop, C10 BOB, drivers, stepper motors, power supplies, Mach3. Your videos have made this hobby a lot of fun as since I've been successful along the way. I highly recommend to anyone with an interest in CNC to subscribe.

Older video, but this content is still point on !! I'm new to running Mach3. And your video has given me a great start.

Machine I purchased,some time ago, came with a mach3 license. A senior c newbee beginner without the foggiest idea of how to set up & run the machine. Must say that your video with a step by step hands on approach is what I've been looking for. Feel more at ease & comfortable now from you video, when I actually get around to setting it up. Got a ways to go yet. Setup is with a PC using XP. Thanks for taking the time to share your expertise and knowledge of mach3 with a grassroots beginner. Like you approach. Will check out your other videos. Very nicely done. KK

Hi, I've used cnc machines before, but not Mach 3. Having just purchased a machine running Mach 3 I found your video to be a great introduction. I have now subscribed to your channel. 🇬🇧

Thanks Steve for the Mach3 intro and also putting me back on the fence between CNC router or 3D printer. No room for both, but weighing the possible uses of each in my current projects.

Very calm and very precise in the way you deliver the subject information. Easy to understand! Very thorough in details. Good Teacher! Keep up the good work!

Mach3 doesn't require much to run. One issue people may experience involves on-board/integrated video graphics. I had random issues with certain things not operating effectively when the computer was operating with default 32mb on-board graphics setting. Increasing the graphics in bios settings to 128mb fixed the random issues. Random issues consisted of not running utilities from the wizard menu. Integrated graphics share RAM with other functions in the computer to include Mach3 when it is running. Of course certain Windows updates may cause things to change so I do not recommend updating the operating system unless it is absolutely necessary. Computer should be dedicated to CNC and should not be accessing internet frequently to justify patching it. Other considerations are shutdown and uninstall everything (clean install) that is not necessary for function of CNC, performance should improve and antivirus/firewalls may interfere with CNC processes/efficiency.

Great intro for a rank beginner like me. built my own machine, still in process of finishing it. enjoyed the video.

I have just ordered my 6040 machine and this tutorial is great. Thanks

First class video. I have a 4 axis machine arriving this week. Feel a bit more confident now about setting it up

The way you explained getting started let me understand some things that the Mac 3 videos were not clear on, Thank You!

Thank you so much as it explains to all the people like me to understand from scratch.

Thank you for the video, who ever suggested speeding up the video, your absolutely right. My a.d.d. worked perfect for that

hi, I saw your video first time a few minutes ago. I started constructing my own cnc machine a week ago and I was looking for a video just to learn how to configurate the Mach3 turn and mill when I found yours. It´s really interesting and I could learn a lot with it. Congrats for your disposition to teach many people around the world how to handle this marvelous software. I´m using USB to comunicate to the board and I didn´t have any success using it.

I am new to the cnc thing doing research for a new hobby. I have manual mill and lathes I want to try to build my own cnc table. Thanks for your help great video going to watch some more.

Pretty darn good tutorial to get one started on Mach3. I am hooked.

As of this writing Mach 4 is available for download as I was just in their site and it was announced as ready. Excellent video great quality, very coherent and easy to understand, thank you for that. I and two of my grandsons are wanting to this as they love woodworking with grandpa, which is definitely not able to offer much guidance in this area. So I really appreciate all your comments, work, time, preparation and advice in putting this outstanding video together. Liked and subscribed and look forward to many more video from you. Again thank you for passing along.

viewers: put speed to 1.5 voice is understandable save time

Thanks for the video. I've been sitting here looking at my new router for a couple days now and this really helps.

Super introduction to Mach3! Thank you!

Good video. Just to add some info; There is no problems running a laptop instead of a desktop, infact it's more convenient sometimes when you don't have much space. Laptop BIOSes doesn't shut off communication busses. The OS controls that, so if you set Windows power mode to high performance and disable auto sleep mode, you're good to go.

Too much alright, found this to be easy to follow and to understand the Mac3, thanks

Hi just starting to learn everything while i save up to build a 3 axis cnc. Got someone to help shame its by email only Thanks for great video it has been a very good introduction

I thought this was a great video. It explained a lot of information that other video makers are assuming people know.

greetings from indonesia, I like your video about cnc. thnx so much for sharing, can't wait for the next vid :)

Very well explained. You got me interested - Now I gotta check out Mach3!

great intro into cam great guy to listen to still totally confused but its early days

Thanks Guru, I have a small desktop cnc mill and this video was very helpful. I look forward to making a few chips fly.

thank you for this video. Iam a beginner. You helps me a lot!

Just bought a Sherline CNC lathe, didn't get the computer but the seller was running Mach3. I am working on set up on an older Pc Running WindowsXP

I gave a like, just because I really liked that guy asking me to like, nice job haha. LOVED IT

Thanks for the tutorial... this is a big help for me...

New to CNC thks so much for this very informative video. Keep it up really appreciated.

Okay now I'm committed to learn Mach3. I got one of the small Chinese CNC engravers, and plan to make PCB's on it.

Very good and simple tutorial

Great video can you make a video about how to wire 2 stepper motors on (y) exist and configure in mach3 Thanks

Laptop works fine. Go to screen saver settings and select never for Screensaver and Sleep times.

Mach 3 will work very well with a laptop - you simply have to disable the ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) driver - replace with the option called something like "Standard PC Driver"

Thank you sir for this video, very informative and relaxing !

Excellent job ، really unique innovation good luck man

I think every CNC should have a Haas controller 😁 essentially the same thing, just the software I was trained on in school.

Thank you for this perfect introduction, where is the video number 2 that is talking about mach3 too?

In the pdf manual for Mach3, there is a sample program on page 10-22 "Code to Probe Hole" for the G31 probe code. In the instructions, it tells you what parameter numbers it puts results of different calculations (i.e. the average diameter of the hole is stored in #1034). Excuse me if this is a simple task, but I don't see where Mach3 allows you to view the contents of these parameters.

Very good, I did understand this

Thanks very much for this video. It will help me immensely

You earned that thumbs up!

this is a great vide to help me learn, my machine 6040 router is all homed in ready for me ,but I have to learn mach 3,before loading anything in,so im watching 2 or 3 times to make sure its sinking in

Thank you Steve . My CNC doesn't recognize the cable/USB from the Desktop. Any solution?

Laptop can setting use power all the time. Turn off sleep mode.

Thanks for your help.

Thank you for the introduction

Good day, I have a problem with the travel in the cars of X and Z on a lathe, I adjust them in settings and in mill I move them and they run the distance with precision. but on turning I move it .1 "the X axis and it moves .210" and on the Z axis I move it .1 "and it moves 0.030" thanks.

Really nice video, but my question is why when I stop the cycle, doesn't start where it was when stops?

Thank you for your information

Thanks Steve, what is the proper way to set your Z 0 point? How do you send y The tool to its zero point?

funny and interesting, very good video, will help me definitely out! thanks from switzerland!

Thanks! Finally was able to take notes and try on my plasma table. Is there a follow up like #2? I'm still trying to figure out how to hook up my plasma cutter... And THC... Can you help?

Very informative! Thanks for posting these videos!

New beginner question. Can you use Mach 3 with software like Easel, Carveco, Fusion 360.

also I have no limit switches attached to the breakout board yet.thanks bob campbell

Really Great Lesson

Great info . Thanks.

Slight nit pick on pronunciation... Axis is pronounced like Taxes, Axis plural is usually pronounced like Taxis, but I've never heard anyone say "Access" before, even in Canada or Europe. Tiny nit pick, but consistency in the names of things helps newbies a lot. The recommendation for listening at 1.5 speed was brilliant and you were still perfectly clear.

i have got a new usb breakout board and have everything moving. my problem is that even though the A Axis is slaved to Y Axis they move seperately Y as normal with the Arrow keys - A moves with the (end and home) keys my old breakout board never had this problem and i have no Idea where to start to rectify this issue i had to get a new laptop and it is running Windows 10 old one was on win7

Great video helped a lot thank u

Great introduction to the setup. Do you have a video for placing the wood and setting the set backs on it?

You seem to be very knowledgeable about the mach software would you happen to know how one might be able to run a oxy fuel torch from the mach software , such as controlling the preheat delay , piercing etc.

Great Short and sweet. Thank you.

Thanks GuruBrew, very helpful.

What will be the usb type... is it swapping D+, D- or normal D+ to D+ and D- to D-

I WANNA BUILD A CNC PLASMA CUTING,PLEASE SHOW ME WHAT FIRST I DO? THANKS

Nice Video i admire it ... :) i have a question please did a building of cnc machine need a specific programming to connect arduino and the rotors with mach3 software ..... or the CNC machine control using Mach3 will control everything Thanks in advance !

Great I hope you do more

I have mach3 with sheetcam and it all worked great my monitor when out so I hook up an old one I had now when I open mach3 a box comes up can not open dill so l push the ok button the next box comes up find in sheetcam and I push the ok box and mach3 will open can u help me please thanks Charles

thak you for showing us this tutorials. i am learning a lot from your videos. an now i am learn more on mach3 but i would like to kno the controller board you have used a link for it. and i would like from you to show us how to slave A axis to Yaxis

sir, can I integrate the robotic arm 3 axis (Arduino controller ) to CNC lathe machine. If Yes, what should I do .....need suggestions

Hi can this replace a old CNC end mill old electronics. thank you for your time.

thank you. video was exactly what I needed to know.

I have problem can you help me please my cnc when I use (outside) cutting give you lack in measure but in (inside) its good

Great video

Nice vid I bought Mach several years ago also 4 gecko drives and recently 3 motors but never could figure out the power supply I need any how you got me interested again.

Hi Steve great video I gust run the software Mach 3 for the first time and it all works fine and I manage to creat the gcode. My question is how can I transfer the gcode to the Arduino or other wise. Thanks

PLEASE EXPLAIN ABOUT PARALLEL PORT WHILE INSTALLING MACH3. THANKS

Thanks Steve!

Have a problem getting this program to work with my CNC routing machine. It will not talk to it even though I can get the USB controller provided by the CNC company to connect just fine.

Thanks for the video, It seems to me that being new to all this computer techno, It sounds to me like I should learn G Code before learning mach3 or? I eventually want to be able to make small prototypes out of aluminum. Respectfully, Jim Price

Thanks Steve great video

Steve, I like the idea of controlling the CNC through Mach 3 with the x box 360 controller, could you provide additional details and limitations such as pc requirements/ Mach 3 or any other facts I should be aware of. Thanks

Steve, hello and thank you very much for all your videos, I learn a lot from then, I build a machine cnc Took me about six months everything was good idea of the setting that you show me in a video everything work, but I don't I have an idea to make a G code, the machine looks good, I need some help to learn how to make the G code thank you appreciate it.

first good vidio i am a beginner i will check out the torts, but may be a heads up just to get my stepper jogging i have windows 7, usb ports only, no parallel ports using arduino w/cnc shield went to device manager for address , shows 00000001 set up is a little confusing, not sure how to connect? thank you gary

I use Mach 3 but my control box has failed and I know nothing about the workings inside. The firm I bought it from has gone bust.Where can I buy a box that I can just plug my leads into?

Your very concise in your explanations. Thank you for that. You mentioned the keyboard can be used to move the spindle. My question is all the directions result in the opposite of what should be expected. For Example: Page ( Z axis) Down raises the spindle and Page up lowers spindle. Right arrow ( X axis) goes left (visi versa) and Y axis the up arrow & Down arrows that do the opposite of what you expect. Do I have a box checked or unchecked to cause this? I am thinking it probably is a simple solution.

Sir Thankyou for the information and how to start

Hi I have a new router but don't know how to generate router g code paths. I only want to cut out circles out of acrylic sheet at 80.5mm. Please can anyone help?

thank you very much!!!!

Im a TBI survivor,I got a machinist guy coming over to help setup , but where does he put in the program?

Wow amazing I followed you

Very good

You have Flood Ctrl F button but how would you control Mist, where is mist button?

Great video Thanks! I am building a cnc machine that does both routing (Mill ) and plasma cutting can you tell me if more than one profile can be set up in Mach 3 to accommodate a duel purpose machine ? Again Thanks for a great video